Estimating the spatial distribution of hydromechanical properties in the investigated subsoil by defining an Engineering Geological Model (EGM) is crucial in urban planning, geotechnical designing and mining activities. The EGM is always affected by (i) the spatial variability of the measured properties of soils and rocks, (ii) the uncertainties related to measurement and spatial estimation, as well as (iii) the propagated uncertainty related to the analytical formulation of the transformation equation. The latter is highly impactful on the overall uncertainty when design/target variables cannot be measured directly (e.g., in the case of piezocone Cone Penetration Test-CPTu measurements). This paper focuses on assessing the Propagated Uncertainty (PU) when defining 3D EGMs of three CPTu-derived design/target variables: the undrained shear resistance (su), the friction angle ((p'), and the hydraulic conductivity (k). We applied the Sequential Gaussian Co-Simulation method (SGCS) to the measured profiles of tip (qc) and shaft resistance (fs), and the pore pressure (u2), measured through CPTus in a portion of Bologna district (Italy). First, we calculated 1000 realizations of the measured variables using SGCS; then, we used the available transformation equations to obtain the same number of realizations of su, (p', and k. The results showed that PU is larger when the transformation equation used to obtain the design/target variable is very complex and dependent on more than one input variable, such as in the case of k. Instead, linear (i.e., for su) or logarithmic (i.e., for (p') transformation functions do not contribute to the overall uncertainty of results considerably.

Most natural soils exhibit a certain degree of soil structure which, in general, leads to increased strength and stiffness properties. However, the mechanical characterization of these soils based on conventional laboratory testing proves difficult in many cases due to sample disturbance. The present work aims to characterize the microstructure of a postglacial, normally consolidated, fine-grained deposit in Seekirchen, Austria, adopting in situ testing, laboratory testing on high-quality samples, and numerical analysis. The latter involves recalculating in situ piezocone penetration tests (CPTu) using an advanced constitutive model for structured soil. In contrast to existing in situ interpretation methods, the results of the numerical study, the mineralogical and hydrochemical testing, as well as the oedometer and bender element testing on undisturbed and reconstituted samples suggest that the soil is characterized by a significant amount of structure. It is demonstrated that the difference in shear wave velocity measured in situ and through bender element testing on reconstituted samples can be used as an indicator for soil structure. Ignoring the effects of structure may lead to inaccurate parameter determination for advanced constitutive models, which are subsequently employed to solve complex boundary value problems in geotechnical practice. As a consequence, the prediction of expected displacement may not be reliable.

Two earthquakes, Mw = 7.8 Kahramanmaras,-Pazarcik, and Mw = 7.6 Elbistan, occurred on February 6, 2023, approximately 9 h apart. These earthquakes caused devastating effects in a total of 11 nearby cities on the east side of T & uuml;rkiye (Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras,, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and S,anliurfa) and the north side of Syria. These earthquakes provided an outstanding prospect to observe the effects of liquefaction in silty sand and liquefaction-like behavior in clays (cyclic softening) on the stability of structures. This paper specifically presents the post-earthquake reconnaissance at three sites and evaluations of four buildings within these sites in Adiyaman Province, Golbas, i District. First, important role of post-earthquake piezocone penetration test (CPTu) in characterizing the subsurface conditions was presented. Then, the effect of soil liquefaction and cyclic softening on the performance of four buildings during the earthquakes was evaluated. These structures represent the typical new reinforced concrete buildings in T & uuml;rkiye with 3 to 6-story, situated on shallow (raft) foundations, and demonstrated diverse structural performances from full resilience to moderate and extensive damage during the aforementioned earthquakes. Based on the interim findings from these sites, the potential factors that caused moderate to severe damage to buildings were inspected, and preliminary-immediate insights were presented on the relationship between structural design, soil properties, and the performance of buildings with shallow foundations.

The properties of soils are highly complex, and therefore, the classification system should be based on multiple perspectives of soil properties to ensure effective classification in geotechnical engineering. The current study of research demonstrates a lack of correlation between classification systems based on soil plasticity and those based on in-situ mechanical properties of soils. A CPTu-based plasticity classification system is proposed using the soil behaviour type index (Ic), with its reliability and limitations discussed. The results indicate that (1) Ic has the capacity to predict the stratigraphic distribution from the in-situ mechanical properties of soils. It showed a significant linear correlation with wL, which soil classification zone was similar to that of clay factor (CF); (2) A CPTu-plasticity classification system is proposed to characterize both plasticity and in-situ mechanical properties of soils. This system allows for the initial classification of soils solely based on CPTu data. Furthermore, it has been established that Ic = 2.95 can delineate the boundary between high- and low-compressibility soils. (3) The error is only 25.2% relative to the Moreno-Maroto classification chart, and the system tends to classify soils of intermediate nature as clay or silt. The distance between the data points and both the C-line and the new C-line (Delta Ip, Delta IpIc) showed a significant positive correlation. Only one data point was misclassified, considering human error in measuring Ip. (4) The new classification chart has been found to be more applicable to offshore and marine soils.

Soil disturbance and excess pore water pressure generation, induced by dynamics and transient excitations such as pile driving, seismic loading, and impact effects, can significantly degrade the geotechnical strength and stiffness. Given the critical importance of axial capacity in sustaining superstructures, it is essential to recognize and mitigate potential damages. This research investigates the piles reduction of axial capacity through CPTu records, which offer rapid and reliable data. Aiming to quantify the consequences of soil sensitivity and excess pore water pressure, a comprehensive dataset has been compiled comprising CPTu and pile performance records from 11 diverse sites worldwide, focusing on soft and loose deposits. The research identifies problematic sublayers and, by incorporating an analytical approach, evaluates the intact and reduced shaft and toe resistance through three distinct methods. Results indicate a substantial reduction in bearing capacity due to dynamic loading on piles. Four levels of capacity loss concern are recognized quantitively. Through case studies, the response of the problematic deposit under dynamic loading is more apprehended, conforming with the findings. The current research addresses and emphasizes the necessity of realizing pile dynamics and problematic deposit interaction. It can lead to safe, reliable, and optimal design practices based on a comprehensive understanding of soil-pile interaction.

The overconsolidation ratio considerably affects the physical and mechanical properties of soil as well as the interaction between structures and soil. Scale and consolidation time limitations render the preparation of overconsolidated soil for small-scale model tests difficult. Therefore, studying structure-soil interactions, especially the vertical bearing capacity of pile foundations in overconsolidated soil becomes challenging. Given the importance of reliable overconsolidated soil in physical model tests for studying soil-structure interactions, this study, based on the fundamental of the overconsolidation ratio, established a reliable method for preparing overconsolidated soil by altering centrifuge acceleration. Piezocone penetration tests were conducted to validate the accuracy of this method. Furthermore, vertical bearing capacity of pile foundations was evaluated in various overconsolidated soils. The vertical ultimate bearing capacity of pile foundations, cone penetration resistance, pore water pressure, and sleeve friction resistance were obtained in soils with various overconsolidation ratios. Based on the results of both tests, a formula was developed to calculate the vertical ultimate bearing capacity of pile foundations, taking into account the overconsolidation ratio of soil. This proposed method for evaluating vertical bearing capacity of pile foundations in overconsolidated soil can also be applied to study interactions between other marine structures and soil. The results of the study can provide technical support for designing the foundations of offshore oil and gas facilities, wind power, and other structures.

Ramsey and Tho illustrated the ability of the I-pzo parameter to estimate plasticity index in a wide range of saturated natural soils and highlighted the potential of the I-pzo parameter for improving the reliability of estimations of other soil properties affected by plasticity index. In this note, an improved method is proposed for estimating undrained shear strength in claylike soils using CPTU data, where clay-like is defined as I-pzo >= 12%. The improved method is validated using a geographically and geologically diverse N-kt1-database comprising 54 anisotropically consolidated undrained triaxial compression tests, with complementary CPTU measurements from 36 geological units at 18 globally distributed marine sites.

Groundwater recharge around the protected buildings to offset the impact of the sharp drop of groundwater caused by the dewatering operation of the surrounding foundation has been successfully implemented worldwide. However, due to the variable engineering geological conditions, it is particularly important to summarize the site-specific practical experience of groundwater recharge. The opening time of dewatering is not always synchronous with that of groundwater recharge in surrounding area, the subsoils often had certain settlements before recharging. It is difficult to find the influence of this small deformation on the physical and mechanical properties of soils through laboratory tests. Based on the actual project of groundwater recharge in Nanjing, China, this paper compares the previous research experience in different areas, summarizes the feasibility of this method in floodplain area of Nanjing and the typical characteristics of surface vertical displacement. This study, which was based on the CPTU tests carried out in different periods of the study area, reveals that the hydraulic conductivity of aquifuge I decreases slightly with the OCR, undrained shear strength and compression modulus have certain increases due to the dewatering and recharging operations. The little differences of the aquifuge can not be found by laboratory tests.

The paper demonstrates how the concepts presented in the companion paper: Determination of Constrained Modulus of Granular Soil from In Situ Tests-Part 1 Analyses can be applied in practice. A settlement design based on the tangent modulus method is described. Extensive in situ tests were performed on a well-documented test site consisting of sand with silt and clay layers. The field tests comprised different types of penetration tests, such as the cone penetration test, the flat dilatometer, and the seismic down-hole test. The modulus number and the constrained tangent modulus were derived from the cone penetration test with pore water pressure measurement and the flat dilatometer test. In addition, the shear wave speed was determined from two seismic down-hole tests, from which the small-strain shear modulus could be evaluated. The constrained modulus obtained from the cone penetration test with pore water pressure measurement (CPTU) and the flat dilatometer (DMT) was compared with that from the seismic down-hole tests. The importance of the stress history on the constrained modulus was demonstrated. The range of modulus numbers, derived from different in situ tests, compares favorably with empirical values reported in the literature.

Gassy clay deposits are widely distributed in marine sediments. Clarifying the influence patterns of the trapped gas phase on the mechanical properties of gassy clay is of significant importance. Establishing an in -situ strength parameter and consolidation coefficient inversion method based on CPTu is crucial for gassy clay characterization. In this study, gassy clay was prepared using the zeolite method. The variations of strength and consolidation parameters of gassy clay concerning gas content were obtained based on laboratory triaxial and one-dimensional tests. It was observed that the trapped gas phase enhances the undrained shear strength and hinders drainage. Specifically, gassy clay with a gas content of 3.5 % exhibited an 18 % increase in undrained shear strength compared to saturated clay and a 50 % reduction in consolidation coefficient. In addition, laboratory calibration chamber tests were conducted to investigate the cone penetration test (CPTu) in gassy clay with varying gas contents and penetration rates. The drainage effect during the CPTu penetration process in gassy clay was discussed. The reasons behind the variations in static cone penetration parameters under undrained conditions for normally consolidated gassy clay were analyzed by combining the results of triaxial tests and one-dimensional consolidation experiments. A proposed formula for the cone factor N kt was also provided under undrained penetration conditions. The accuracy of conventional methods for estimating the consolidation coefficient of gassy clay was verified, the basic properties of the gassy clay used in the indoor experiment are similar to those of the seabed gassy silt at the project site, and the environmental conditions are similar to those at locations with low initial pore pressure, such as mudflat or shallow sea bed, thereby offering a reference for insitu testing of strength parameters and consolidation coefficients in gassy clay seabed.